Physicians: Is Googling Patients Appropriate?

Physicians: Is Googling Patients Appropriate?

In a recent New York Times article, a physician reflected on Googling his patients. Sometimes, he wrote, Googling has helped him learn more about his patients "as people" and it has helped him "build empathy."

But he went on to write that Googling patients has drawbacks. "What if one finds something that is not warm and fuzzy?" he asked, pointing to an example of a time when he felt that Googling a patient had been an invasion of patient privacy.

How do you feel about Googling patients? Is it appropriate? Are there only certain circumstances in which it is appropriate?

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Practice Notes is a space for commentary and news on practice management and healthcare policy. Opinions expressed by guest bloggers are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Physicians Practice, its staff or editors, or that of its parent company, UBM Medica.